‘Diabolical’: Why Scott really walked

‘Diabolical’: Why Scott really walked

NORTH Melbourne officials will be happier than anyone that outgoing coach Brad Scott had a moment of madness with long-running rival David King during the Roos' big win over the Bulldogs on Saturday night.

North Melbourne has confirmed Scott will announce his future plans at a press conference scheduled for noon on Sunday after it was confirmed on Saturday Scott's tenure will be terminated immediately.

The club has reportedly stressed the decision to move on from Scott after more than nine seasons in the top job was mutually agreed with Scott - however, the club will reportedly be forced to offer a "reduced" settlement pay-out to force Scott out.

Scott has now emerged as a leading candidate for any coaching positions that become available at the end of the season - and has been linked with Carlton and St Kilda already.

Those lifelines tell the real story happening behind the scenes, according to Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes.

The footy commentator says Scott has angled to do what's best for him by leaving the club less than half way through the season in a bid, Cornes claims, to secure a more stable long-term job with a rival club, beginning in 2020.

Cornes also said the way the story has played out in the public just hours out from the club's clash with the Dogs is "diabolical"

Scott also rejected reports the club mutually agreed to let Scott go following strategic meetings in recent days.

Kangaroos coach Brad Scott went out with a win.

Scott's suggestion in his post-match press conference was that the club pulled the trigger to terminate him without his knowledge.

"The strategic direction I put forward to the club was weeks and weeks ago, not days ago, so there's been no indication that this would come up (in the media)," Scott said.

"I came to work yesterday expecting business as usual. I left work expecting business as usual, but on the way home, it wasn't."

Cornes says Scott has done what's best for him by putting himself in the best possible light ahead of his next hunt for a senior coaching job.

"It's been diabolical for the club, the way that it's been mismanaged," Cornes said.

"I've heard the commentary that it's the noble thing to do for Brad, he's putting the club first. (I think) he's putting himself first, first and foremost.

"I don't think he can have a situation where he goes on until the end of the year and wins six games, let's say, and then goes into another contract and then he's moved on after another disappointing season then how desirable is he to another club?

"Right now, he walks into the two or three jobs that are available at the end of the year. He gets a nice financial settlement from them and then he's got three months, four months to find himself a job. I personally don't subscribe that Brad Scott has put the club first. I think he's put himself first."

He said Scott's heated shoulder brush with King was an "ugly" look - but doesn't believe it will cost Scott a chance of being appointed as a senior coach with a rival club.

"That's a bad look and if you're a prospective club maybe thinking of having a look at him, that's a small red flag," Cornes said.

It got emotional at full time.

"I think he still gets a job. But to then deny he did it, that's the more bizarre thing for me because we've all seen it.

"I think that was an ugly incident."

Scott delivered a parting sledge to the former Kangaroos champion and media analyst King - and the entire incident was caught on camera by Fox Footy.

The host broadcaster captured vision of Scott appearing to make a bee line for King, one of his harshest critics during North's struggles this year, as he ran to the three-quarter time huddle.

King was on the ground at Marvel Stadium as part of his role with Fox Footy and Scott appeared to direct a verbal tirade his way as he passed within inches of him.

"I haven't spoken to David King in years," Scott replied when asked about the incident.

"I get frustrated sometimes when the cameras are too close to our huddle.

"There was a time I put my shoulder straight through David King. It was at the Gabba in the late '90s and he didn't respond then either.

"So I'm not about to start doing that again. I'm a coach, not a player."

He took a further swipe at King, suggesting the former premiership player hasn't helped out his former club when previously able.

"Everyone's entitled to their opinion … and there are people who have played for football clubs that automatically people think they've got a unique insight," Scott said.

Brad Scott joined in the chorus.

"With due respect, I haven't seen any of those people at our football club. Ever.

"I invited David King to come down and present a jumper to a first-year player and he chose not to come.

"They don't have any unique insight. They've played, but there isn't a unique insight, so I focus more on the people who do know."

It was reported King's weekly newspaper column earlier this year may have been the straw that broke the camel's back for the pair's relationship.

King questioned Scott's commitment to the club's "Shinboner" ethos in a column in April and suggested the premiership player hasn't made an impact at the club.

"After 10 years at the helm, if it all finished today, what would his legacy as coach look like?

To my mind, Scott either misinterpreted or simply wasn't a subscriber to "The Shinboner Spirit" upon arrival at the club," King wrote.

Perhaps it's more important for the rusted-on Kangaroos fan and the football club that our ethos remains intact.

But right now it's significantly more important to Scott and his side than any tactic or moving of player magnets.